How to create a super cool light trail using your smartphone

What is even cooler is that you no longer need to own a fancy DSLR camera to take one. Your smartphone is fully capable of shooting these type of images.

Light trails and motion blur images can give your otherwise static shots a feeling of movement. In particular, if you’re taking an image of a moving ocean or waterfall etc, a regular photograph just won’t have the same oomph as one of these.

These are great images to use, especially when you’re storytelling in a blog post.

How to capture light trails on your smartphone

The built in camera app just won’t do, so you’ll need to download an app with the functionality. My favourite is the “Slow Shutter” app available for the iPhone (and Android I believe). It’s very simple to use.

Secondly, you’ll need a tripod. Your smartphone needs to remain absolutely still to capture the best image. The same with a DSLR, in case you were wondering.

You also need a good subject. Light trails work best with traffic… or anything that moves such as a ferris wheel lit up at night etc

Motion blur is slightly different and also works best with movement. So if you want to capture a moving river or waterfall in day light, you’ll need to use this feature instead. The Slow Shutter app can capture both.

The settings that I recommend you try first – Set ISO to 200, light sensitivity to 1/64 and I’ve left my shutter speed to “bulb” to take continuously long exposure shots. The settings will ultimately depend on your environment, but that’s what I recommend to get started with.